Juan de Langara

Juan Francisco de Lángara y Huarte(Juan Francisco Langara Uharte in Basque) (Coruña, Galicia 1736 - Madrid, 1806) was a Spanish naval officer and Minister of Marine.

Life and career

He was born at Coruña, Galicia, the son of a renowned Basque Family. His father was admiral Juan de Langara Arizmendi, who fought as lieutenant (Teniente de Navío) at the victorious Battle of Minorca in 1756, against the British under Admiral Sir John Byng. Having entered the royal Spanish navy at a young age, in 1750, as a Guardiamarina, Lángara quickly distinguished himself in various wars; participating From 1766 until 1771 he several times made scientific expeditions, among others, three voyages to the Philippines and the Chinese seas, and made several important contributions in cartography. In 1774 he commanded the frigate La Rosalia on a scientific expedition, which led to several important discoveries with regards to pilotage and navigation.

American Revolutionary War

By 1778, he was a Brigadier or Commodore and participated with distinction in the 1779 naval campaign in the Narrows against Britain, capturing the British letters of marque 26-gun sixth-rate Winchcombe. When the Combined fleet wintered at Brest and Cadiz respectively, during the winter 1779–80, Lángara was left in command of a small squadron of 11,...
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